We're now reaching the closing stages of the UIL playoffs, which will undoubtedly showcase the best the state has to offer on the pitch.
Matchups such as Cinco Ranch v. Kingwood, Seven Lakes v. Pearland, The Woodlands v. Duncanville, and Goose Creek Memorial v. Georgetown should provide H-Town audiences with a show.
With a trip to State on the line, here's a break-down of the most pivotal matches in this week's Regional Tournament.
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Cinco Ranch Cougars vs. Kingwood Mustangs (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@CincoBSoccer)
The Cougars are in the midst of a historic playoff run, having reached the Regional Tournament for the first time since 2016.
Fresh off the heels of wins against Hightower (6-1), Jersey Village (3-0), and most recently Northbrook (2-0), Cinco Ranch brings their 2024 record to 16-3-4 as they prepare for Round No. 4.
Under the direction of coach Ryan Searle, the Cougs feature an exceptionally stingy defense -- one which has allowed just four goals in the last ten games -- that makes it strenuous for any opponent to contend with them.
Headlined by players such as Ossian Elgstrom (Sr. D), Andres Reira (Jr. F), Miguel Leite (Sr. F), and Noah Machart (Sr. GK), Cinco Ranch now looks to take on Kingwood.
The District 21-6A champions have shown considerable resiliency throughout both the regular season and playoffs, most recently upending Alief Elsik (2-0) in Monday's matchup.
As mentioned in the Round 3 preview, coach Bryan Jennings' squad is comprised of a significant number of seniors, who don't plan on letting their final season end just yet.
What's intriguing about this Regional Semis game -- which will take place at Abshier Stadium on Friday (7:30 pm) -- is that the victor could possibly play their district counterpart -- Seven Lakes or Humble -- in the Region III Final.
Speaking of which...
Photo acquired via Twitter (@khsmensvsoccer)
Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Humble Wildcats (Boys)
In pursuit of becoming the first back-to-back Class 6A state champs, Seven Lakes (21-1-2) has been on a mission all Winter.
They are coming off a nail-biter against a familiar district opponent, Katy Jordan, in which they claimed the win in a penalty shootout.
Coach James Krueger's roster features the championship-caliber talents of Kortay Koc, Noa Stasic, Aidan Morrison, and Ben Aviles Vera, as the Spartans look to travel to Deer Park's Abshier Stadium this Friday (5:30 pm).
On the other side of the pitch, the Wildcats reach the Regional Tourney for the first time since 2021, as a result of their definite 3-0 victory over Strake Jesuit on Tuesday.
After taking silver in District 21-6A, coach Saul Keene and company haven't looked back, with the ambition of reaching the Regional Final, which would mark the first time in decades.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@humblefutbol)
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots vs. Georgetown Eagles (Girls)
Doug Brown (VYPE)
GCM has defied expectations time and time again this Winter, which has carried over into the postseason with a vengeance.
The Patriots (17-6-4) are coming off a thrilling 1-0 victory against Santa Fe in the Regional Quarters, marking the furthest the team has advanced in program history.
This was preceded by playoff wins versus Randle (9-0) and Angleton (2-1), as coach Roman Huizar and the rest of Goose Creek Memorial look to keep their hot-streak rolling when they play Georgetown at Turner Stadium on Friday (11:00 am).
Georgetown (22-1-4) is a perennial power, having reached the State Semis in 2023, and they seek to play on their home field once again this year.
Their reputation speaks for itself, as coach Eduardo Venegas has returned several stars from that roster.
But, nothing ever comes easy when we're this far in the playoffs.
Kingwood Park Panthers vs. West Mesquite Wranglers (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@KPHS_Men_Soccer)
In just his third year with the program, coach Christian Boehm has guided the Panthers to their first appearance in the Regional Tournament since the 2020-21 season -- a year in which the team reached the Class 5A State Final.
K-Park's motto for the Winter is "Locked In" and that has certainly been the case as each week passes. Following wins against Hallsville (5-2), Lovejoy (4-0), and Longview (3-0), they now prepare to take on West Mesquite on Friday.
Boehm will look to his key play-makers -- Evan Jimerson, Finn Bruce, Luke Caballo, and Ronan Flaherty -- to keep the good times rolling.
The Wranglers (21-4-1) are led by coach Jeremiah Villarreal and enter Round No. 4 for the first time in program history.
Seven Lakes Spartans vs. Pearland Oilers (Girls)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@SLGirlsSoccer7)
The Spartans (17-3-5) enter the Region III Tournament for the first time since 2015, following their 2-0 win over Houston Memorial on Tuesday night.
While their attack is a worthy inclusion to their success, it's the Seven Lakes defense -- which has yet to allow a goal in the playoffs thus far -- that has proven to be the team's greatest asset.
As mentioned in the last round's break-down, coach Kaitlyn Eidson roster features a slew of stars -- namely Valerie Trinh, Wagoner Towsen, Carly Drescher, Kennedy Reed, and Olivia Orellana, among others.
Pearland (19-3-3) is on a historic run of their own, however, and they have plenty of star-power to contend with Spartans on the other side of the pitch
Caden Sparks, Kaelynn Pablo, Emma Merritt, Breanna Medina, and Savannah Epting have made the Oilers one of the top teams in the state, under the direction of coach Elise Cox.
This might be the closest matchup of the week, when these two face off at Abshier on Friday (12:30 pm).
Photo acquired via Twitter (@LadyOilerFutbol)
The Woodlands Highlanders vs. Duncanville Panthers (Boys)
Photo acquired via Twitter (@TWHSMensSoccer)
It's been another fruitful endeavor this Winter for the perennial super-power The Woodlands (22-1-3).
Coach Jason Fanning's squad reaches the fourth round of the playoffs for the third-consecutive year, and have their sights set on returning to Georgetown.
The Highlanders are coming off wins against Aldine (3-0), Waller (2-2 PKs), and Cypress Springs (4-1), and possess a loaded roster, with the likes of Henrique Caputo, Rodrigo Checa, Matyas Williams, and Emilio Balderas-Berg propelling the team forward.
They now look to face Duncanville (18-2-3) who enter the Region II Tournament after defeating Weiss (3-0), Rockwall (1-0), and most recently Garland (1-0).
The Panthers defense has been a difficult unit to play against, having allowed just 15 goals in 2024 thus far, under the direction of coach Nuno Passos.
Whoever emerges victorious from this clash could very well be the Region II representative in next week's state tournament.
Terry Rangers vs. Magnolia West Mustangs
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Rangers continue to make history this Winter, as they reach the Regional Semifinals for the first time in program history.
Not only that, but they still have yet to be defeated this season, as Terry boasts a record of 24-0-4.
Coach Drew Brenk's exemplary roster features the likes of Runyambo Muco (40 goals, 11 assists), Jesus Rivas-Guzman (32 goals, 35 assists), Samir Mohammed Nasim (15 goals, 17 assists), and senior goalkeeper Adrian Coria (139 saves, 14 shuotuts), just to name a few.
Now that we're into the nitty gritty of the postseason, however, there is no opponent who should be underestimated.
Speaking of which, Magnolia West (18-4-4) returns to Round No. 4 for the first time since the 2015-16 season, and look to extend that streak.
The attacking front for coach Matt Motakef's Mustangs is just as efficient, with 86 goals scored on the year, which should prove to be a factor when these two Class 5A power-houses clash this Friday.
Photo acquired via Twitter (@MWHSSoccer)